Month

February 2012

My poor blog…so long neglected and yet I just can’t bear to let it go! I’m waiting for that day that all the pieces to my puzzled life reorder and assemble themselves…for it’s all I can do to muddle through the housework, homework and home education that fills our days and sometimes my nights.

So I’m pulling out a few old posts just to keep things in perspective. The one below is rather pertinent. Once again, we found ourselves the source of speculation and conversation at a local restaurant. It was an extremely positive experience. In every instance, when someone asks if my children are homeschooled, it’s done with such respect and even admiration…not the stereotypical, dirision laden “oh…you’re sooo definitely homeschooled!” No, it’s usually a comment born of observation and good-will and once again it reminds me that the best preaching is done through example, not necessarily words. So here is a post from a little over a year ago. One day soon, I hope to write more than psychology and poli-sci papers. Until then…

Salt and Light

Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

“You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

– Matthew 5:11-16

I must admit that I don’t really know what it is to be reviled by the world, nor have I experienced the reality of honest-to-goodness persecution. This is probably the case for most of us…we skate through life, we have our sharp turns, bumps and occasional spills, but for the most part our scars are only superficial, easily bandaged and usually leave indelible marks of character upon our bodies and faces. We are transformed by our trials and are usually able to provide a witness to faith and perseverance by our dogged persistence in the midst of adversity…albeit mild adversity.

No…revilement and persecution are rarely personal…attacks seem to come in the form of false perceptions of others and, more frequently, the sense that somehow one just doesn’t quite “fit in” in certain circumstances. I feel this most often when I go to the mall…so I don’t go anymore. There was a time when I was much more consumer than Catholic, when I was more at home in a shop than the sanctuary of the Church. I blended in amongst the shoppers and perusers of goods. I found my comfort amongst those like me, and felt a sense of belonging and unity of purpose with all those “beautiful people” who seem to be at home wherever they go. That was such a long time ago…

Things have changed, and I’d say for the better. When we venture out as a family, we are no longer “of the world…” We obviously don’t fit in. And it’s hard to pretend that you don’t see the raised eyebrows, or hear the whispers or notice the wagging fingers as they count: 1…2…3…4…5…6…children?! When they ask “are they all yours?!” my husband and I get a rather perverse pleasure in answering “No…there are three missing…” It usually silences them, unless they persist in those silly questions which require our silly answers, and we usually just smile and move on. We don’t go out often, but when we do we always call attention to ourselves, not by bad behavior…the children are perfect ladies and gentlemen…no…it’s the sheer size of our family.

Last night was just such a night. After two really hard days of freezing temperatures, a limited budget and thereby limited sources of heat, no water due to frozen pipes because the house isn’t insulated nor warm enough, we were really stretched to the limit. But it was payday and after many, many hours of work and determination, my husband and son were able to defrost the pipes and restore running water. Every dish in the house was dirty. The floors were unmopped. No one had showered for two days and the toilets…well…let’s not talk about that. Let’s just say we were jubilant…jubilant…when the water came on. My dear husband decided to take the entire family out to dinner…an Asian buffet (if you have a lot of children, you know this is the most economical way to dine!)

Now…if you ever need a boost to your self-esteem, take a large family to a Chinese restaurant. These beautiful people just can’t stay away from the children. Waitress after waitress came to the table, counted the children, exclaimed over them and told us how blessed we are…yes…who would know more than those who have lived in a land where the sanctity of life is not respected, where procreation is mandated/limited by the government. They are happy, always happy to see our children. No sneers, no raised eyebrows, no nasty comments…just joyful praise and acceptance.

Oh, that those who live in the “land of the free and home of the brave” could be so accepting! Alas, we rarely appreciate those things that come to us so easily, and so many throw away life and happiness, hand over fist…

As we left, the cashier, a lovely Chinese woman who appeared to be maybe in her late 50s or early 60s, once again complimented us on our large family. She said, with a sad smile, that she, too was from a large family of 5 children…and though the words weren’t spoken…it seemed we all exchanged sad smiles in realization that the land of her birth, that formerly fruitful land…no longer exists.

It was then that I realized that our presence…our simply being there…was, in a small way, a fitting analogy of salt and light. We give flavor to a tasteless world with this beautiful bouquet of children. We are a city on a hill…conspicuous by our size, our presence, our witness to life. I don’t mean to sound prideful…I’m by no means made holy by being the mother of many…our Lady only had One. No…I simply mean that I understand that we needn’t preach loudly or forcefully. Our lives, our presence can be salt and light for the rest of the world, if we are willing to risk being different. I praise God that we, perhaps, brought even a sliver of joy to those women in that restaurant last night. I praise God, too, for the poor perceptions that my “free” brothers and sisters may have, because they remind us of how we are “in the world, but not of it.” May God help us to preserve our flavor…may we always be ready to let our light shine, wherever we may be…

Free Traditional Catholic Planner: Embracing Tradition

My Mother…And Yours!

The most holy Virgin had more faith than all men and angels. She saw her Son in the crib of Bethlehem, and believed Him the Creator of the world. She saw Him fly from Herod, and yet believed Him the King of kings. She saw Him born, and believed Him eternal. She saw Him poor and in need of food, and believed Him the Lord of the universe. She saw Him lying on straw, and believed Him omnipotent. She observed that He did not speak, and she believed Him infinite wisdom. She heard Him weep, and believed Him the joy of Paradise. In fine, she saw Him in death, despised and crucified, and, although faith wavered in others, Mary remained firm in the belief that He was God.

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
Psalms 127:3-5

St. Thomas Aquinas – Patron of Sacred Heart Academy – Pray For Us!

A Student's Prayer
Creator of all things,
true source of light and wisdom,
origin of all being,
graciously let a ray of your light penetrate
the darkness of my understanding.
Take from me the double darkness
in which I have been born,
an obscurity of sin and ignorance.
Give me a keen understanding,
a retentive memory, and
the ability to grasp things
correctly and fundamentally.
Grant me the talent
of being exact in my explanations
and the ability to express myself
with thoroughness and charm.
Point out the beginning,
direct the progress,
and help in the completion.
I ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen. ---St. Thomas Aquinas

Litany Of Humility

O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed,
Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being loved...
From the desire of being extolled ...
From the desire of being honored ...
From the desire of being praised ...
From the desire of being preferred to others...
From the desire of being consulted ...
From the desire of being approved ...
From the fear of being humiliated ...
From the fear of being despised...
From the fear of suffering rebukes ...
From the fear of being calumniated ...
From the fear of being forgotten ...
From the fear of being ridiculed ...
From the fear of being wronged ...
From the fear of being suspected ...

That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may be esteemed more than I ...
That, in the opinion of the world,
others may increase and I may decrease ...
That others may be chosen and I set aside ...
That others may be praised and I unnoticed...
That others may be preferred to me in everything...
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should…

Our Homeschool Bookshelf

The Latin-Centered Curriculum
Climbing Parnassus
Prima Latina
Latina Christiana II
Lingua Angelica(br>
Famous Men Of Rome
Famous Men Of Greece
D'Aulaire's Greek Myths
The Children's Homer
Story Of The World I
Artner Reader's Guide to American History
Exploring Creation With Biology
Exploring Creation With Botany
Along The Alphabet Path
The Flower Fairy Series
An Alphabet Of Catholic Saints
Spencerian Penmanship
Spelling Power
Jensen's Grammar
Format Writing
Christ The King Lord Of History
Traditional Logic
Classical Kids
Schuster Bible History
The Story of the Church
Baltimore Catechism
Writing Can Help
Our Father and Mother on Earth and in Heaven
American Cardinal Readers
TYCTR in 100 Easy Lessons
Saxon and MCP Math
Language of God
MCP Phonics
Square Notes - Gregorian Chant Workbook
Alfred's Basic Piano